Drinking the Kool-Aid - interesting article

**RobA_Oz** · 11-08-2012, 07:24 PM

I don't recall hearing the phrase before reading it in these Forums, though I imagine it must have been around in the era.

Regardless of that, this article contains some interesting history (that I do remember) as well as providing a literary warning about the loose use of the phrase.

Stop Saying 'Drink the Kool-Aid' - Chris Higgins - The Atlantic

Enjoy, if that's the right word for some of the content.

Last edited by RobA_Oz; 11-08-2012 at 11:33 PM.

Phil1 · 11-08-2012, 11:23 PM

The phrase has been updated since 1967 as it applies to the liberal media. It is now "Fresh squeezed Kool Aid".

opfor · 11-09-2012, 12:58 AM

I always thought that people were referring to the Guyana punch tragedy in the 70s....

Clay · 11-09-2012, 04:52 PM

So did I. Don't drink the electric Kool Aid! Full of cyanide.

Best regards,

/Clay

reeftool · 11-09-2012, 05:32 PM

Originally posted by opfor

I always thought that people were referring to the Guyana punch tragedy in the 70s....

That's the first time I remember hearing the phrase. It may have different meanings to others but I will always associate it with Jonestown.

magkelly · 11-09-2012, 06:57 PM

It is definitely meant to be a cultural reference to Jonestown. IE don't follow blindly and become a cult member because it could get you killed. I actually started hearing that used as slang in school not too long after it happened. It was pretty wide spread by 1983 or so. It's kind of a nasty thing to say when you think about where it came from but it is something people say all the time now without thinking.

Blue · 11-09-2012, 08:36 PM

Originally posted by magkelly

It is definitely meant to be a cultural reference to Jonestown. IE don't follow blindly and become a cult member because it could get you killed. I actually started hearing that used as slang in school not too long after it happened. It was pretty wide spread by 1983 or so. It's kind of a nasty thing to say when you think about where it came from but it is something people say all the time now without thinking.

Actually, he started with Ken Kesey and his band of Merry Pranksters and the Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test. Wolfe's book about it came out in 1968.

The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

LSD spiked Kool-Aid is what the hippies, Grateful Dead, Kesey et al. referred to it. All Jones did was put a dark spin on it.

**boriscleto** · 11-09-2012, 08:39 PM

Besides, the people at Jonestown didn't drink Kool-Aid. They drank Flavor Aid.

Blue · 11-09-2012, 08:41 PM

Originally posted by RobA_Oz

I don't recall hearing the phrase before reading it in these Forums, though I imagine it must have been around in the era.

Regardless of that, this article contains some interesting history (that I do remember) as well as providing a literary warning about the loose use of the phrase.

Stop Saying 'Drink the Kool-Aid' - Chris Higgins - The Atlantic

Enjoy, if that's the right word for some of the content.

Maybe Chris Higgins needs to read The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test by Tom Wolfe.

Docrwm · 11-09-2012, 10:47 PM

This image is used on several of the Watch forums when someone is such a fanboi that they deny obvious problems with a watch/brand.

Ratmagiclady · 11-10-2012, 01:46 AM

Originally posted by Phil1

The phrase has been updated since 1967 as it applies to the liberal media. It is now "Fresh squeezed Kool Aid".

Is that what Fox is saying? You may have missed a step since Jonestown.

borno · 11-10-2012, 04:19 AM

The phrase referred to the Jonestown tragedy, not some cheesy paperback.Ask root boy slim.

Blue · 11-10-2012, 05:49 AM

Originally posted by borno

The phrase referred to the Jonestown tragedy, not some cheesy paperback.Ask root boy slim.

Maybe old root can ask Ken Kesey since they are both dead!

audiobomber · 11-10-2012, 07:03 AM

Originally posted by Blue

Actually, he started with Ken Kesey and his band of Merry Pranksters and the Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test. Wolfe's book about it came out in 1968.

The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

LSD spiked Kool-Aid is what the hippies, Grateful Dead, Kesey et al. referred to it. All Jones did was put a dark spin on it.

Right!!! Drinking the Kool-aid was an expression long before the Jonestown tragedy. I know this because I was around then, unlike some of you. "Someone's been drinking the Kool-Aid" means you're acting high, like someone on acid, i.e. confused, silly, out of touch with reality. It was intended to be humurous and always got a laugh when used appropriately.

Ken Kesey, Timothy Leary and LSD were not obscure in the hippy era, they were famous or infamous, depending on your age and POV.

reeftool · 11-10-2012, 08:31 AM

Most of us who are older remember Kesey, Wolfe's book, and spiked punch. The phrase in question still refers to the mass suicide in Jonestown and in a couple of movies about the tragedy, that's what they were telling people to do over the sound system. The article covers all the other references to the phrase also. The most common understanding of the term in today's world is the blind obedience of Jones's followers. The writer of the article thinks it's offensive to say it but the phrase isn't going anywhere and will likely be around for a long time, just like little kids still sing 'ring around the rosie' which refers to thousands dying in the streets during the black plague.

11-08-2012, 07:24 PM	#1
RobA_Oz Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tasmania, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,209	Drinking the Kool-Aid - interesting article I don't recall hearing the phrase before reading it in these Forums, though I imagine it must have been around in the era. Regardless of that, this article contains some interesting history (that I do remember) as well as providing a literary warning about the loose use of the phrase. Stop Saying 'Drink the Kool-Aid' - Chris Higgins - The Atlantic Enjoy, if that's the right word for some of the content. Last edited by RobA_Oz; 11-08-2012 at 11:33 PM.

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11-08-2012, 11:23 PM	#2
Phil1 Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,292	The phrase has been updated since 1967 as it applies to the liberal media. It is now "Fresh squeezed Kool Aid".

11-09-2012, 12:58 AM	#3
opfor Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Oxford, UK Photos: Albums Posts: 276	I always thought that people were referring to the Guyana punch tragedy in the 70s....

11-09-2012, 04:52 PM	#4
Clay New Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Minden Hills, Ontario Posts: 24	So did I. Don't drink the electric Kool Aid! Full of cyanide. Best regards, /Clay

11-09-2012, 05:32 PM	#5
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,555	Originally posted by opfor I always thought that people were referring to the Guyana punch tragedy in the 70s.... That's the first time I remember hearing the phrase. It may have different meanings to others but I will always associate it with Jonestown.

11-09-2012, 06:57 PM	#6
magkelly Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,901	It is definitely meant to be a cultural reference to Jonestown. IE don't follow blindly and become a cult member because it could get you killed. I actually started hearing that used as slang in school not too long after it happened. It was pretty wide spread by 1983 or so. It's kind of a nasty thing to say when you think about where it came from but it is something people say all the time now without thinking.

11-09-2012, 08:36 PM	#7
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by magkelly It is definitely meant to be a cultural reference to Jonestown. IE don't follow blindly and become a cult member because it could get you killed. I actually started hearing that used as slang in school not too long after it happened. It was pretty wide spread by 1983 or so. It's kind of a nasty thing to say when you think about where it came from but it is something people say all the time now without thinking. Actually, he started with Ken Kesey and his band of Merry Pranksters and the Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test. Wolfe's book about it came out in 1968. The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia LSD spiked Kool-Aid is what the hippies, Grateful Dead, Kesey et al. referred to it. All Jones did was put a dark spin on it.

11-09-2012, 08:39 PM	#8
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,476	Besides, the people at Jonestown didn't drink Kool-Aid. They drank Flavor Aid.

11-09-2012, 08:41 PM	#9
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by RobA_Oz I don't recall hearing the phrase before reading it in these Forums, though I imagine it must have been around in the era. Regardless of that, this article contains some interesting history (that I do remember) as well as providing a literary warning about the loose use of the phrase. Stop Saying 'Drink the Kool-Aid' - Chris Higgins - The Atlantic Enjoy, if that's the right word for some of the content. Maybe Chris Higgins needs to read The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test by Tom Wolfe.

11-09-2012, 10:47 PM	#10
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	This image is used on several of the Watch forums when someone is such a fanboi that they deny obvious problems with a watch/brand.

11-10-2012, 01:46 AM	#11
Ratmagiclady Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: GA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,563	Originally posted by Phil1 The phrase has been updated since 1967 as it applies to the liberal media. It is now "Fresh squeezed Kool Aid". Is that what Fox is saying? You may have missed a step since Jonestown.

11-10-2012, 04:19 AM	#12
borno Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: md-usa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,580	The phrase referred to the Jonestown tragedy, not some cheesy paperback.Ask root boy slim.

11-10-2012, 05:49 AM	#13
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by borno The phrase referred to the Jonestown tragedy, not some cheesy paperback.Ask root boy slim. Maybe old root can ask Ken Kesey since they are both dead!

11-10-2012, 07:03 AM	#14
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by Blue Actually, he started with Ken Kesey and his band of Merry Pranksters and the Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test. Wolfe's book about it came out in 1968. The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia LSD spiked Kool-Aid is what the hippies, Grateful Dead, Kesey et al. referred to it. All Jones did was put a dark spin on it. Right!!! Drinking the Kool-aid was an expression long before the Jonestown tragedy. I know this because I was around then, unlike some of you. "Someone's been drinking the Kool-Aid" means you're acting high, like someone on acid, i.e. confused, silly, out of touch with reality. It was intended to be humurous and always got a laugh when used appropriately. Ken Kesey, Timothy Leary and LSD were not obscure in the hippy era, they were famous or infamous, depending on your age and POV.

11-10-2012, 08:31 AM	#15
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,555	Most of us who are older remember Kesey, Wolfe's book, and spiked punch. The phrase in question still refers to the mass suicide in Jonestown and in a couple of movies about the tragedy, that's what they were telling people to do over the sound system. The article covers all the other references to the phrase also. The most common understanding of the term in today's world is the blind obedience of Jones's followers. The writer of the article thinks it's offensive to say it but the phrase isn't going anywhere and will likely be around for a long time, just like little kids still sing 'ring around the rosie' which refers to thousands dying in the streets during the black plague.